Rifle stock fabrication?

Question

I am about to do something stupid i think in the name of finding a hobby ! I am a decent wood worker and have decided to make an attempt to hand make a stock set for a Marlin guide gun .450. I have already purchased the wood in Walnut in XXXXFancy Grade. Im going to do some engraving on the wood aswell as the reciever. I have 2 questions:

1. Although I have been working with wood for some time i have never worked with walnut. Im looking for that high luster shine and Im not sure how to get it other than prep work for the wood. Is there a particular coat of finish Im looking for ?

2. I will be hand engraving the wood as I have done this and its not that hard, what I havent done is engrave metal by hand and was wondering if (A) Anyone has any good info on it & if it brings any more challenges to the table over wood. (B) If there is a particular brand or type of tools anyone recomends.

I thank you in advance for help which will no doubt end with a rifle only I will want !!!!

Answer 1

Tackling metal engraving is a huge step. You can get gravers and instructions, but I would definitely want to try practicing on similar metal first, possibly and old junker reciever. Engraving is not something most people would do on a gun they want without having some practice behind them. Paying for it is expensive and waiting period could be up to 3 years. I applaud you for wanting to do this yourself. You have a whole lot more balls than I have. The Fancy grade stock is very expensive to begin with. If you got all the equipment to metal engrave and inlet a stock etc. your project could end up costing you thousands. But when you' re done and the work suits you, you will have the equipment to do work for others plus a real fine gun to pass on to your heirs.

I understand how this works. I started making knives by wanting to make one for my son when he was old enough to go hunting with me. Ended up doing this on a regualr basis and spent about $1000.00 on assorted tools etc. I like tools and use them for other applications so no big deal. To date, I have made about 165 knives of all sorts.

As far as a high gloss deep sheen in your stock, there used to be a style of finishing called French finish It was used alot on furniture. I know some gun sites will have the proper way to do it. It basically involved oil finish, diluted with some turpentine or thinner. It is a fast finish compared to hand rubbed oil. I have done gun stocks that required 26 coats of hand rubbed oil. But when it was done, there was not a single flaw and all the grain was filled up. It will be a labor of love and when your done, you will have crab claws for hands. Feel free to e-mail ref. you project. I'll see what I can do to help.